Jonathan Hoewing with classmates during his semester in Venezuela while attending Union College.

"Before I went into the International Rescue and Relief (IRR) program, I made a list of all the companies I wanted to work for. International SOS was number two,” said Jonathan Hoewing. “Sometimes I wonder if they hired me just because I have the word ‘international’ in my bachelor’s degree.”

Aphelandra Messer, along with three other Union students, received Union College Board of Trustees Writing Awards this week during chapel service.

Writers find inspiration and motivation in many places—family, friends, the world around them. Over the past three years, a number of Union College students have discovered additional motivation to polish their writing skills for the annual Union College Board of Trustees Writing Awards.

The annual Library Fair will feature exhibits to help visitors explore the themes contained in the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf.

Sights, sounds and smells of the Middle East will abound at the annual Library Fair as visitors get a taste of Muslim culture on Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Ella Johnson Crandal Memorial Library on the campus of Union College. From 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. library goers can sample Middle Eastern dishes and a variety of activities and exhibits that explore themes from the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf now available at the Union College library.

With less than $700,000 left to reach the $14.5 million goal in the Our Promising Future campaign to build the new science and mathematics complex, 1963 graduate Steve Gifford has challenged his fellow alumni to push this campaign over the top by the end of this year. If Union passes the $14 million mark by December 31, 2013, Gifford will give the remaining $500,000 to complete the campaign.

Every year, nearly 800 Union College students and employees take the day off from school to serve the Lincoln community. This year Project Impact served at nearly 70 sites around Lincoln, helping out the service organizations that serve the people of Lincoln all year long.

Duma Figueroa, a sophomore pre-PA major, helped paint the walls of Club EDEFY at People's City Mission during Project Impact 2013.

“Our theme this summer at the People’s City Mission (PCM) was ‘Dream Big.’ Working with the kids ... I was just amazed at their energy for life. I learned so much from them, including how to dream,” remembered Inonge Kasaji, a junior social work major at Union College. Kasaji’s own dream began in August, when her time volunteering at the mission was drawing to a close. To thank the kids and staff for an incredible summer, Kasaji decided to take on a project that had been waiting two years to start—painting the inside of the EDEFY building.

U.S. News has once again rated Union College as one of America's "Best Colleges" in the magazine's highly-anticipated annual rankings. In a five-way tie for 43rd place in the Midwestern regional colleges category, this is the eighth consecutive year Union has earned a spot in the top tier of higher educational institutions.

While no standardized system can account for unique institutional strengths or the individual needs of students, Union College administrators are proud to see the institution compare favorably with its peers.

World renowned Christian author Leonard Sweet will speak at Union College Sept. 12-14.

“Protestantism is known for its work ethic,” said Leonard Sweet. “As we come to the 500th anniversary of Protestantism in 2017, it is worth pondering how well this work ethic has served us, and whether or not we have lost a ‘play ethic.’”

Each year more than 80 percent of Union's campus takes the day off from classes to serve the Lincoln community.

“Every year for Project Impact, students provide acts of kindness in the community. When they come back, they’re smiling and laughing—they’re happy they did something for others,” said Inonge Kasaji, junior social work major and outreach co-coordinator in Union College’s Campus Ministries. “Why wouldn’t you want to keep that going the whole year?”

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, Union College will host the Lincoln Police Department's field force training—a day culminating with a crowd control exercise involving a demonstration staged by campus volunteers.

Police officers will be at Union throughout the day reviewing crowd control techniques and conducting exercises in Woods Auditorium and in other areas of campus.

Coach Herman Boone, inspiration for the film "Remember the Titans," will speak at Union College on Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m.

“My parents always taught us that no person should be judged based on the color of their skin, but on the content of their character,” said Herman Boone, retired high school coach and inspiration for the lead character in Disney’s 2000 film, “Remember the Titans.” “I have always believed that and maintain that value today.”

Pastor Iki Taimi will speak for the first Friday evening service of the 2013-14 school year on August 30 at 7:30 p.m.

The school year is almost upon Union College, and with it, 26 Sabbaths to enjoy. Vespers coordinator Kelli Vigil and Union for Christ director Tyler Morrison have prepared a schedule of powerful musical talent and deep spiritual speakers to help Union College campus discover or build a stronger relationship with Jesus.

Ink drawings by Zack Posthumus and Devi Halim will be on display in the McClelland Art Gallery through Sept. 3.

“My goal is to affect people’s emotions,” said Zach Posthumus, junior graphic design major. “Even if they don’t like my art or they think it’s weird, I think generating some type of emotion signifies a good piece of art. If it doesn’t make you think or feel anything, what’s the point of it?”

Even though the physical campus landscape has changed drastically through several ongoing construction projects, many students may think the most significant campus improvement over the summer happens when they power up their computers or tablets.

As of July 25, Union College switched Internet providers to a faster service at a lower price, meaning users will be able to access more content faster than before.

Only four short weeks remain before students rush back to the books and a new school year begins at Union College. But before settling back into studies, there are a few important details all incoming and returning students need to know.

Financial clearance deadline is August 1

All financial paperwork must be completed and the first payment for the new school received by August 1. After that, reserved classes will be dropped and students won't be allowed to complete early registration.

Photo of Beth and Chuck Freidline at Homecoming in 2013. The theme of the alumni event was remembering the professors of Jorgensen Hall, and Dr. Freidline's retirement reception was a highlight of the weekend.

Dr. Freidline works in the lab in 1993.

Dr. Freidline works with students in 2001.

Dr. Freidline and a student in 2005.

Dr. Freidline modeling his "chemo wig" during Homecoming in 2013. Hair growth was a lifelong research interest, and his sense of humor was legendary.

“Although he had recently been very sick with his kidney issues, when I was 18 and met Dr. Freidline for the first time as a prospective student, he acted the same as when he met everyone,” said Carrie Wolfe, chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics and Union College chemistry graduate. “He was so pleasant, informative and happy to talk to me and my parents.”

“Somewhere in all of our pasts are immigrants,” said Sabrina Riley, Union College Library director. “These are not the stories that we typically think about, but they are similar to many American families’ histories. I am really excited to hear them.”

Graduate assistant James Fernando was instrumental in helping to lead the team. Here, he and student Tim LeBard work in the lab.

Dr. Rose reviews results with Bradley Carlson, one of the student researchers.

When students in Frankie Rose's biology classes are asked to finish all of their Brussels sprouts, they can say with scientific certainty why they dislike them, thanks to new teaching methods developed by Rose and a team of Union College students and alumni.

Nebraska native Shilo Parker's pottery and glasswork will be on display in the McClelland Art Gallery now through July 14.

Shilo Parker remembers well the first time he saw a man making glass beads with a torch at the Old Market in Omaha. Mesmerized by his work, Parker immediately got his own bead making kit and began what would become a lifelong love affair with glass.

Seven years after his first encounter with glass work, Parker is giving his first exhibition at Union College’s McClelland Art Gallery now through July 14. A combination of glass and ceramics, the exhibit combines vibrant colors with abstract patterns in an abundance of styles